Mother of missing Missouri baby has not given needed answers-police

September 28, 2012|Reuters

By Kevin Murphy

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept 28 (Reuters) - The mother of missingMissouri baby Lisa Irwin has still not provided answers neededin the investigation into her daughter's disappearance from herhome nearly a year ago in a high-profile case that drew nationalattention, police said on Friday.

Baby Lisa was last seen the night of Oct. 3, 2011, when hermother, Deborah Bradley, says she put the then 10-month-old inher crib. The baby's father, Jeremy Irwin, discovered she wasmissing when he got home from work before dawn the next day, hehas said.

Kansas City police said in a statement on Friday that thefamily was in touch with investigators but has still not giventhem the "opportunity to sit down one-on-one" with Bradley.

"As the only adult in the home at the time of the baby'sdisappearance, police continue to have questions to which onlyshe can provide answers," police said.

Bradley has admitted to getting drunk the night Lisadisappeared.

But John Picerno, a Kansas City lawyer representing Bradleyand Irwin, described as "completely false" the police assertionthat Bradley has not been willing to be interviewed. He said shegave a videotaped interview to the FBI and a Kansas City policeofficer several months after Lisa disappeared and provided 100pages of hand-written notes.

She remains willing to talk to police, he said.

"My door is always open, they know my phone number," Picernosaid.

In a brief interview with Reuters outside her home onThursday, Bradley said she was focused on helping with theinvestigation and that she "absolutely" believes Lisa is alive.Bradley said she is convinced the girl was kidnapped.

Police and the FBI have followed up on 1,667 tips on thechild's disappearance, including some 500 reported sightings ofthe girl, the police statement said. They are checking intoabout a dozen active tips now, police said.

"Police have exhausted leads provided by Lisa Irwin's familyand their attorneys and the leads were of no benefit to theinvestigation," police said.

Picerno said he will continue to provide tips to police butcannot control whether they lead anywhere.